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Carver innovated throughout his life. His research helped redevelop the economy of the South.
He created hundreds of useful products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other plants. And he shared his knowledge and skills when and where they were needed. Industrialists and institutions asked for his advice and honored him for his efforts.
In early 1921, Carver appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee. (This committee is the main tax-writing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.) The topic was whether the U.S. should tax imported peanuts. A tax would help protect American peanut farmers from foreign competition. At first, Carver was given only 10 minutes to talk. Officials mocked him. But he paid no attention. After the first 10 minutes, he was given another 10 minutes. And then another. And another. In the end, members of the committee were very impressed. They said Carver could have as much time as he needed. ▶
Carver with Henry Ford (left) and Ford’s son, Edsel.
▲ Carver and Henry Ford met at a conference. (Ford was the owner of Ford Motor Company.) The people at the conference were involved in applied science. Carver helped Ford. He figured out how to use soybean oil to make different colors of paint for Ford’s cars. Carver also figured out how to use goldenrod, a wildflower, as a stand-in for rubber. At the time, rubber was in short supply because of World War II. In return, Ford donated to the Tuskegee Institute. He helped fund Carver’s work. Later, Ford also came to hire thousands of Blacks to work in his factories. He paid them wages equal to those of Whites. Originally, Ford’s ideas reflected the racial prejudice of the time. But Carver, in his own way, helped Ford to change.
In 1940, Carver donated his savings to Tuskegee. They were used to help establish the Carver Research Foundation. Its mission was to continue the work Carver had started. The George Washington Carver Foundation was also created at that time. Its aim was to provide an opportunity for Black students to do advanced study in botany, chemistry, and agronomy. (Agronomy is the science of soil management and crop production.) The foundation still offers financial aid and scholarships. When Carver died, in 1943, he left his whole estate to the George Washington Carver Foundation. ▶
As a college student, Carver’s love was art. He never stopped painting. But he didn’t share his work publicly. That is until 1941. That was the year his artwork was put on display at Tuskegee. People were surprised at his talent. “How could you do so many things well?” they asked. Carver’s answer mentioned the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. ▶
The poet Tennyson was seeking truth. That is what the scientist is seeking. That is what the artist is seeking: his writings, his weavings, his music, his pictures are just the expression of his soul in his search for truth.
In 1945, President Harry S. Truman created January 5 as George Washington Carver Recognition Day. Why January 5? You would think the date would be Carver’s birthday. But that exact date was not known. So Congress and the president chose the date of his death – January 5. Each year on this day, people gather to celebrate Carver. One such celebration takes place in Diamond, Missouri, close to where he was born. ▶
▲ Twice Carver was honored with his image on a stamp. First, in 1948. He was chosen to be part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Famous American Scientists series of stamps. And again, in 1998, as part of the Celebrate the Century stamp series. In 1952, a half-dollar coin with Carver’s and Booker T. Washington’s likenesses was minted. The coin was designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway. Hathaway was the first Black American to design a coin.
▲ The George Washington Carver National Monument is on the farmland of Moses and Susan Carver. It was dedicated in 1953. This was the first time a national monument was created to honor someone who was not a U.S. president. It was also the first time the National Park Service honored the work of a Black American.
REFLECTION
George Washington Carver encountered racism through much of his life, but he never became bitter. He believed Blacks should achieve an economic foothold before trying to tear down social and political barriers. Some have criticized him for these views. What do you think?
